DEA Drug Take-Back Day 2021: Where To Go In Bristol-Warren

BRISTOL-WARREN, RI — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will once again sponsor National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend, encouraging Rhode Islanders to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications.

Collections will be held at 565 sites around the region from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For most Rhode Island communities, the closest site will be the local police department. Visit the DEA's website or call 800-882-9539 to find the closest site.

Bristol and Warren residents can bring their unwanted medications to Bristol's police station at 395 Metacom Ave.

In most cases, police departments will have a drop box in the lobby of the station, with no questions asked. The service is free of charge.

Rhode Islanders can drop off tablets, pills, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs, along with vaping devices, provided the lithium battery is removed. Illegal drugs, syringes and other sharps and liquids will not be accepted.

During last October's collection event, more than 57 tons of medications, along with vaping devices and cartridges, were collected across New England in just 4 hours, the agency said, a new record.

"DEA has touched a nerve in America with its recent Take back events, as evidenced by the millions of pounds of pills collected during our previous 19 events," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Boyle. "These events are only made possible through the dedicated work and commitment of our local, state, and federal partners, and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their continuous efforts on behalf of the American people."

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention reported a nationwide increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon also reported in Rhode Island. From Sept. 2019 to 2020, 87,200 Americans died from a drug overdose, according to the CDC.

"The misuse of prescription medications long ago became a public health crisis in our country," said Acting Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Richard Myrus. "Prescription drugs in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion and abuse, and we urge Rhode Islanders to safely dispose of their unwanted prescriptions by taking advantage of the DEA’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day."